MSP hopes ban on 'Frankenstein fats' will save Scots lives

Published on Wednesday 10 June 2009 22:02

SCOTLAND could become the first part of the UK to ban harmful trans fats, after Labour MSP Richard Simpson launched a private member's bill to outlaw what he described as these "Frankenstein fats".

Dr Simpson already has the backing of celebrity chef Nick Nairn, and he hopes to get sufficient support from MSPs from all parties to pass his bill into law.

Nick Nairn said: "I wholeheartedly agree that legislation is the way forward to reduce and eliminate public consumption of trans fats and effectively eliminate trans fats from the diet of Scottish people."

Launching a consultation on his bill yesterday, Dr Simpson said his proposals would reduce the number of Scots dying every year from heart disease.

If passed, the bill would ban shops and restaurants from selling food containing more than 1 per cent of trans fatty acids, also known as trans fats.

Trans fats are produced when liquid vegetable oils are turned into solids and used in some fast foods, sweets and confectionery. But critics say they are harmful, can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and strokes and their only purpose is to prolong the shelf-life of foods.

Trans fats have already been banned by Marks & Spencer, as well as in Denmark, Switzerland and New York City, while California is phasing them out over two years.

If it obtains cross-party support, Dr Simpson's bill will be passed in the next two years and implemented over a two-year period, with the full ban in place by 2013.

Dr Simpson, a former GP, said: "There are currently no laws in Scotland which regulate the use of these 'Frankenstein fats', and we need to put this right.

"If my bill is passed it will help to reduce the number of Scots who die early from heart disease. Most British companies have already removed trans fats from their products, but if we can eliminate the remainder it will both save lives and improve the health of the people as a whole."

Critics of their use argue that, while "good fats", such as polyunsaturates, provide energy and help the body to absorb minerals and vitamins, trans fats are among the family of "bad fats" that raise levels of "bad cholesterol" and lower levels of "good cholesterol".

Dr Simpson said recent studies had also shown that trans fats could increase the risk of chronic heart disease more than any other fat. The Labour MSP said he was "very confident" of success in getting his bill through, although, having just published his consultation paper, it was too early to gauge official party reaction to it.

He said the early evidence from the countries that had already taken action on trans fats was overwhelmingly positive.

"It is very difficult to get any hard evidence, but Denmark, which has banned trans fats since 2003, has seen one of the greatest reductions in heart disease in Europe. They are convinced it has worked."

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said the party had not taken an official position on the issue, but added: "Our initial response is favourable. There are some practical issues we want to see sorted out, but we are broadly supportive."

Mike Lean, a professor of human nutrition at Glasgow University, said: "Cheap chemical hydrogenation of oils to make trans fats was a major commercial success, but a nutritional disaster. After increasing heart disease and diabetes for 100 years, we have seen great efforts by nutritionists and industry to reduce trans fats. But the food industry would still be free to bring them back in the future, or import them.

"The proposed permanent ban on trans fats would be a great step forward for Scotland's health and for Scottish food. It will also protect the more disadvantaged and minority groups, who are still consuming too much trans fats."